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CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
DOCKET – REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
6:30 P.M.
145 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914
Council Chambers, City Hall
6:30 P.M. Council May Call Executive Session, Room 101
7:00 P.M. Open Session
City Council:
Council President, Robert Britto – Ward 1
Council Vice-President, Bob Rodericks – At Large
Councilwoman Anna Sousa – Ward 2
Councilman Nate Cahoon – Ward 3
Councilman Ricardo Mourato – Ward 4
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. EXECUTIVE SESSION – The City Council of East Providence may meet in Executive Session pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws §42-46-5 (a) (2)
FOR VOTE
A. New Claims
a. Denise Cuthill
b. Matthew Silva
c. J. J. Cardosi, INC
d. Timothy J. Conley
e. Mark McKitchen
f. Joel Salcedo
B. Pending Claims
a. Heather Gardner
b. Darren Lopes
C. Sewer Charge Abatements
a. Joseph and Luanne Clifford
b. Gail Hogue
c. Gary McLane
d. Alfred C. Mello
e. Elizabeth R. Platt
f. John P. Sousa
D. Reconvene to Open Session from Closed Executive Session
FOR VOTE
II I. OPEN SESSION/CALL TO ORDER
IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Council President, Robert Britto
Motion by Councilman Cahoon to seal the minutes from Executive Session. Seconded by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion passes unanimously.
V. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR
FOR VOTE
All items under, “Consent Calendar” are considered to be of a routine and noncontroversial nature by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a Council members so requests, in which event the item will be removed from said Consent Calendar and will be considered in its normal sequence in the docket.
A. Cancellations/Abatements
| YEAR | AMOUNT |
| 2012 | $1427.05 |
| 2013 | $1578.24 |
| 2018 | $ 801.06 |
| TOTALS: | $3806.35 |
B. Council Journals – February 5, 2019, Regular Council Meeting
C. Application for Special Event – Alcoholic Beverage Class F-1
1. St. Brendan’s Church – 60 Turner Avenue, 02915
Date: 03/02/2019
D. Application for Special Event – Alcoholic Beverage Class F
1. Sacred Heart Church – 118 Taunton Avenue, 02914
Date: 03/09/2019
Motion to approve made by Council Vice President Rodericks. Seconded by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion passes unanimously.
VI. LICENSES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING – FOR VOTE
A. Application for Victualing License Class 3 (transfer)-FOR VOTE
1. Ivanna L.L.C. DBA Sonny’s Convenience
548 Willett Avenue, 02915
Applicant was present. Councilman Cahoon asked the City Clerk if all paperwork is in. City Clerk Burnett states that all paperwork has been completed. Councilman Cahoon made the motion to approve. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes unanimously.
B. Application for Holiday Sales License-FOR VOTE
1. Ivanna L.L.C. DBA Sonny’s Convenience
548 Willett Avenue, 02915
Applicant was present. Councilman Cahoon asked the City Clerk if all paperwork is in. City Clerk states that all paperwork has been completed. Councilman Cahoon made the motion to approve. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes unanimously.
VII. LICENSES REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING-FOR VOTE
A. Pazi’s Place – 380 Taunton Avenue, 02914
Class BVL
Applicant was present. City Clerk Burnett stated this was a license to serve wine and beer only. Pazi’s Place previously had a liquor license, and there were no issues then either. Public hearing/comment offered by Council President Britto. After no one came forward, public hearing was closed. Councilwoman Sousa made the motion to approve. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes unanimously.
VIII. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Mayor Communications – His Honor, Mayor Bob DaSilva
1. Nicholas Williams, 47 Lottie Drive, 02915 – East Providence Housing Authority
(Letter of Appointment by His Honor, Mayor DaSilva-No Vote Needed)
Letter addressed April 26, 2019 from Mayor DaSilva and read by Council President Britto.
No vote by the Council needed, and made public for informational purposes.
Motion made my Councilwoman Sousa to submit the letter to record. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes unanimously.
B. Carousel Commission Fundraiser – Stephen Costa
Tracy Johnson was present in Mr. Costa’s absence. Pasta Dinner, March 23, 2019 at the Brightridge Club from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
C. Neighborhood Pride – Snow removal and sidewalk/pedestrian safety
Frederika Aphra
Constituent not present. Will be attending the next scheduled meeting.
D. East Providence School Committee Resolution – School Committee
(SEE ATTACHED FOR RESOLUTION)
Councilman Cahoon spoke regarding terms for the School Committee. The current resolution that the School Committee doesn’t ask the City Council to do anything, but it was presented. Any changes to that needs to go through the General Assembly under Title 16. City Solicitor Marcello read the decision from the Board of Elections regarding extending the length of the School Committee term. Voters did approve the four year terms in 2012. The General Assembly will not consider ratification of this until the City Council approves a resolution. Council did not take any action on this item.
IX. PUBLIC COMMENT
All persons wishing to make public comment shall sign a public comment sheet stating their name, address and the subject of their comments. Said public comment sheet shall be available on a desk at the entrance of the City Hall Chambers no later than forty five (45) minutes before the call to order of any regularly scheduled council meeting and shall be delivered by the City Clerk to the presiding officer no earlier than five (5) minutes before the call to order of the meeting. Each speaker will be limited to three (3) minutes. The order of the speakers will be on a first come, first serve basis and the maximum time for public comment shall be limited to thirty (30) minutes per meeting.
1. Richard Coelho – Owner of City Bubbles. Speaking against passing the ordinance
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 8 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED “LICENSES AND BUSINESS REGULATIONS”
2. Gianna Perdikakas-not present.
X. APPOINTMENTS
A. Mary Dwyer, 55 Spring Street, 02915 – Conservation Commission
(Mayoral Appointment)
Recommended by Councilman Mourato. Tabled this item to another meeting, in order to have all items turned in, and posted in alignment with the ordinance.
B. Beverly LaFort, 44 Brightridge Avenue, 02914 – Carousel Commission
(Council President Britto)
Motion to approve by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion passes unanimously.
C. Pamela Sunday, 45 Legion Way, 02915 - Traffic Control
(Council Vice-President Rodericks)
Council Vice President Rodericks shared that Ms. Sunday is a teacher in our School Department and looking to have this appointment for the summer. Solicitor Marcello stated that there is no ordinance reference for this process and asked that he be given more time to research and would have more information by the next meeting.
XI. COUNCIL MEMBERS
A. Boards and Commissions Waterfront Commission
Section 2, Article III – Revised Ordinances, City of East Providence
(Councilman Cahoon)
Councilman Cahoon inquired and received information to
B. East Providence Lock Box Update and Discussion (Councilman Mourato)
Rotary of East Providence/Seekonk donated 14 lock boxes to the East Providence Fire Department and accepted by Chief Elmaisain. Valerie Perry presented with Renate Alexander.
C. 160th Anniversary of Rumford Baking Powder- “The Greater Rumford Bake Off” Sunday, May 12, 2019 at 65 Hunts Mills Road, Rumford. (Council President Britto)
Council President Britto announced the event coming up. This is hosted by the Historical Committee and will be holding a bake off.
D. No Solicitation Ordinance (Council President Britto)
Chapter 8, Section 8-123 – Revised Ordinances, City of East Providence
Council President Britto brought this item up as a reminder that no one should be soliciting prior to 8:00 a.m. or just after dusk. Some solicitors have been very aggressive, knocking on windows and side/back doors. Council President Britto urged people, especially the elderly, to not open their doors if they don’t feel comfortable. Also, to report these events to the police department.
Councilman Mourato added to the conversation that this is a problem in many communities. He did suggest looking at the ordinance, and used some examples, such as a temporary badge for identification purposes.
E. Update on Contract Finance Advisor Services for High School Construction Bond (Councilman Cahoon requests the presence of Finance Director, Malcolm Moore.)
Director of Finance, Malcom Moore, was present for discussion. This was for management for the bond for the new high school. Councilman Cahoon requested information on the timeline and more information regarding this project. Mr. Moore stated he will be meeting with mayor tomorrow regarding short term borrowing. Hilltop is the company that the City will be working with on this project. Payments are all caught up for the first three months, according to Mr. Moore.
F. Monthly Finance Report
(Councilman Cahoon requests the presence of Finance Director, Malcolm Moore.)
Items F and G were combined for discussion.
Councilman Cahoon stated that he met with Mayor DaSilva and they agreed to meet every other week to discuss the budget for departments and the standing of the financial condition of the City.
Councilman Mourato stated that he feels the reports are step in the right direction.
Councilman Cahoon stated that the budget report for the mayor is due 45 days before the end of the fiscal budget year. There were other points of discussion to explain why some items showed over budget and Mr. Moore addressed them.
G. Budget Format Discussion (Councilman Mourato)
(Councilman Mourato requests the presence of Finance Director, Malcolm Moore.)
See item F for notes.
H. Council Rules and Regulations (Council President Britto)
No changes were needed. Council will keep communication items as is. Approval for final resolution for the rules will be added to the next meeting, according to the City Solicitor, Mike Marcello.
I. City Sergeant Discussion (Council Vice-President Rodericks)
Council Vice President Rodericks will be working on an ordinance with the City Solicitor for this position.
J. Riverside Rec Field/East Providence Junior Townies Parking Lot Project
(Councilman Cahoon)
Councilman Cahoon shared that this is a program that runs from July to basically October. During these months they hold all practices at the Riverside Rec Field. There is an issue to parking due to the masses and what they are doing to help the scenario.
XII. NEW BUSINESS
A. REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
1. Claims Committee Report (Solicitor Michael J. Marcello)
Solicitor Marcello made his report on the items for vote in Executive Session.
Motion to approve report made by Councilman Cahoon. The motion was seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes unanimously.
B. RESOLUTIONS
1. RESOLUTION CREATING SAFER DRIVING CONDITIONS FOR MOBIL LITTLE LEAGUE PATRONS (SEE ATTACHED FOR FULL RESOLUTION)
(Councilman Mourato)
Motion to approve made by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion passes unanimously.
XIII. PUBLIC HEARING – ORDINANCE, FIRST PASSAGE
A. AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 8 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED “LICENSES AND BUSINESS REGULATIONS”
(SEE ATTACHED FOR FULL ORDINANCE)
(Councilwoman Sousa)
Motion to table made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes unanimously.
XIV. Reconvene in Executive Session (if necessary) to Complete Items Under Section II, Executive Session
This was not needed. No motion made.
XV. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes unanimously. Meeting is adjourned at 9:08 p.m.
If communication assistance is needed or any other accommodations to ensure equal participation, please contact the City Clerk, Samantha Burnett at 401.435.7590.